Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 16th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The service provided by Capita has been, quite frankly, dreadful. Too many pension scheme members still face unacceptable delays after years of dedicated public service. After this matter was raised in the House on several occasions, the Minister for the Cabinet Office provided an update on the action we are taking. If my hon. Friend provides me with the details of individual cases, I will see whether we can raise them with the relevant Departments and get a resolution. I am sure the Cabinet Office will want to keep the matter under review and, when we return in September, not only update the House on the progress made but give assurances about the future.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking West Yorkshire fire and rescue for its continued efforts to tackle the wildfire that is currently on Silsden moor? At the height of the incident, 12 fire engines were in attendance. As the risk of wildfires on moorlands increases, may we have a debate in Government time about the Government’s decision to ignore the advice from the National Fire Chiefs Council, scientists and conservationists and to ban the controlled rotational burning of heather, which is resulting in more uncontrolled wildfires, peat degradation and severe impacts on biodiversity?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to West Yorkshire fire and rescue service. I fear its services will be called on more in future as climate change has further effect. I will take away and raise with Ministers the hon. Gentleman’s particular points, but let me be clear: we have invested around £100 million for the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly 20 years, to combat the escalating threat of wildfires. We have also made available around £2 billion for fire and rescue authorities in England. It is obviously of concern to the hon. Gentleman’s local communities, though; let us see what more we can do.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The consequences that Anthony faced due to Royal Mail delivery issues are simply unacceptable. My hon. Friend is right that this affects constituents right across the country. I am pleased to say that the Business and Trade Committee continues to look at Royal Mail’s performance, but I will raise this matter with the Department on my hon. Friend’s behalf.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Back in 2022, the Keighley Cougars were awarded over £2 million to replace the Danny Jones stand, which is in dire need of repair, but Bradford council has still not made a decision on releasing this money, despite it having been awarded to the team. Can we have a debate in this place about how we unlock this money, which had been allocated through the Keighley towns fund, so that we can get these projects underway for the benefit of my residents in Keighley?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Let me wish the Keighley Cougars well in their endeavours. Also, I hope that Bradford council has heard the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, that it can get on, and that he gets the positive response that he seeks. If that is not forthcoming, perhaps he would seek an Adjournment debate on the issue, in order to hear directly from the Minister, who I am sure will confirm the importance that this Government give to local sport.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to that decision by Northumberland county council. It cannot be right, even after 14 years of under-investment by successive Tory Administrations, that less well-off households in his area are being asked to pay more. This Government are taking action so we can keep costs down for everyone and provide support for those who need it more. But the lesson that people need to learn, unfortunately by experience, in areas such as his is this: do not vote for a Tory or a Reform council.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Last July, my constituent Caroline decided to take out her civil service pension after 37 years working in the tax office in Shipley. Nine months later and she has still not received a single penny of the tens of thousands of pounds she is entitled to, despite many emails, messages and phone calls. Caroline is at her wits’ end, as are many of my constituents in similar scenarios. Capita initially promised to return to normalcy in February 2026, but the goalposts have been moved to June. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate in Government time on Capita’s mismanagement of the civil service pension scheme?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman raises an issue that has been raised many times during these sessions. As I mentioned earlier in my remarks, one effect of that was that a Minister did come to the House to give a statement on Capita. I am sure that they will continue to do so. If this situation continues, as we return after the King’s Speech, he is certainly making a good case for us to find time to have a debate on this issue.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

For too many homeowners, as my hon. Friend says, the experience of living on a newly developed housing estate has been tainted by the consequences of unadopted infrastructure. We have recently concluded our consultation on changes to the national planning policy framework and we will publish our response in due course. I will ensure that the House is kept updated.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Following roadwork infrastructure improvements in Ilkley, many residents and local businesses have been struggling since the middle of January due to utility works that are taking place on the middle of the A65. Following many a meeting with Bradford council’s traffic management officers, it seems that the traffic management plan that was signed off initially did not mandate that the work was undertaken round the clock 24/7, including weekends. This has led to huge inconvenience, so may we have a debate in Government time on how, to start with, we can have better traffic management plans that cause the least disruption for residents and local businesses?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I hope that Bradford council has heard the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, which will obviously be shared by his residents. I invite him to apply for an Adjournment debate to raise not just this specific issue, but the wider issue of utility works going forward.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to congratulate Mark Grayling on his retirement. As we all know, the dedication of those who work behind the scenes is vital in supporting Members in their duties, and Mr Grayling’s long service exemplifies that commitment. I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in praising Mark’s excellent work and in wishing him a long and happy retirement.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

I welcome the fact that Cavendish Street in Keighley is to be upgraded thanks to the investment secured through the previous Conservative Government’s towns fund, but among the brilliant local businesses the street is still home to several dodgy shops. They were stripped of their alcohol licences for illegal activity just last week, but they remain open and no convictions have followed. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate in Government time so that we can propose that when shops are found to be carrying out illegal activity, they can be shut down and replaced with proper, law-abiding, independent businesses?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

These matters are often better decided locally because they depend on local circumstances, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to go into greater detail and hear from the relevant Minister, in case the existing rules are not being applied properly, I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in sending our best wishes to the friends and family of Mr Stephen, and I thank him for raising this important anniversary. It is important that we remember such events, not least because it underlines the importance of community. I join my hon. Friend in recognising all public servants who have acted in the face of danger to protect us as we go about our daily life.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Last week, I met Toby Hammond, the lead volunteer for West Yorkshire scouts. Astonishingly, the scouts have learned that they could be hit by Labour’s new tourist tax, which is being introduced by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. Because the tax is on overnight stays, it could apply to youth camps, outdoor experiences and sleepovers run by volunteers at scout groups across Keighley and Ilkley, who give up their evenings for the benefit of our young people. The tax will hit thousands of children and young people, who will be negatively impacted. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on this issue, and join me in urging the Mayor of West Yorkshire to scrap this tax once and for all? It is impacting many of our scout groups, which continue to do vital work for our young people.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I sincerely hope that the impact is not as the hon. Gentleman has led us to believe. If he wants confirmation about that, I will arrange for a Minister to explain the situation to him. It is absolutely right that mayors are given the choice of whether they introduce a tourist tax. It will be controversial in many ways—we understand that—but let us not forget that there are benefits in what that income can be used for. I join with him in his worry that, if it impacts negatively on scouts, that should be borne in mind because they do a fantastic job.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join my hon. Friend in condemning the views that she described. There is absolutely no place for hatred of any kind in our society. Real progress has been made in football in general and at many football grounds, and it is a pity that she has to continue to raise these matters. I join her in praising Luton Town football club for doing its part in fighting racism, along with all the other football clubs that take the matter extremely seriously. She may wish to raise her concerns directly with Ministers at the next Department for Science, Innovation and Technology questions, which are on 4 February.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

In Ilkley, Labour-run Bradford council is shockingly set to remove the town’s free one hour of on-street parking, despite over 4,000 residents objecting to the proposals. That follows a local referendum in the town, in which 90% of residents rejected a blanket 20 mile per hour zone and speed humps, only for the results of that poll to be ignored by the Labour mayor, who used his casting vote to push the vote through and, outrageously, said to residents that they should save their votes for “Strictly”, then went on to bill taxpayers £190,000 for the privilege. Ministers often say that decisions are for local leaders, but what happens when local leaders are outright ignoring the views of the public? Will the Leader of the House allow time for a debate on the role of central Government in areas where local democracy is clearly failing?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise these concerns. There is clearly real concern in his constituency, but he will not be surprised if I say that parking is a matter for local authorities. It is a matter for local leaders and it is not for the Government to tell them how to manage things at that level. If local people are unhappy with their local representatives, they have the power to do something about that.

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise those concerns on behalf of his constituents, and they will be echoed by a number of colleagues from across the House. The Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that those living in the leasehold sector are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous managing agents, and we will strengthen regulation of managing agents to drive up the standards of their service. We will publish the draft leasehold and commonhold reform Bill as soon as possible, and alongside that, there will be the opportunity for debate.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Hawarth village hall is a vital community asset in the centre of the Worth valley in my constituency, but it is in desperate need of repair, upgrade and maintenance. Under the last Conservative Government, over £1 million was allocated to this project back in 2021, but since then, the money has sat with Labour-run Bradford council and remains unspent, while the asset deteriorates. Can we have a debate in Government time on making sure that money that is allocated is spent in a reasonable time, so that assets do not continue to deteriorate?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

If the hon. Gentleman gives me details of the case, I will make sure that the matter is taken up with the appropriate Ministers. Although these issues are to be decided locally, this is public money, so if Ministers can do anything to help resolve the situation, that would be appropriate.

Christmas Adjournment

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

The levelling-up agenda is incredibly important for traditionally forgotten-about places like Keighley. That is why, turning back the clock, I was incredibly proud to achieve a drawdown of about £80 million for various levelling-up projects across Keighley, which was delivered through the £33.6 million Keighley towns fund; the long-term plan for towns—rebranded by this Labour Government—that awarded £20 million to Keighley in 2023, to be spent on rejuvenating the town centre and other projects; and the £19 million that we were able to draw down through the levelling-up fund. We are making good progress on many of those projects. The Providence Park project has developed and units can now be rented out, although there are some problems getting them valued through the Valuation Office Agency. I would like to see the Government put pressure on the office to unlock that.

We have managed to achieve the manufacturing, engineering and tech hub, money has been spent on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and toilets and new roofs have been built in many community projects, but we are still finding a roadblock with the accounting body that is Bradford council. Significant projects are at risk, right now, of not being delivered on time: the new stand that we need to see delivered for Keighley Cougars; the new health and wellbeing hub that we want to see built in the centre of Keighley, but which Bradford council is so lethargically slow in getting off the ground; and the money that needs to be spent on the maintenance and rejuvenation of Haworth village hall to get it up and running. I met the new trustees who are forming and driving forward that project, but we need Bradford council to get a move on. The money was allocated way back in 2022 and Bradford council is being so slow. Likewise, we are yet to get the skills hub that will deliver adult learning, and we need to make sure that the money that is due to be drawn down to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway through the levelling-up fund is spent.

My point is that under the last Conservative Government, we managed to achieve a whopping £80 million-odd to spend on Keighley. Bradford council needs to pull its finger out to make sure that those projects are delivered. Before I finish, Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish you and the whole House a very happy Christmas.

[Several hon. Members rose—]

Business of the House

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

Madam Deputy Speaker, may I wish you, and indeed all Members across the House, a very happy Christmas? Like thousands of my constituents, I have recently been sending Christmas cards. May I use this opportunity to congratulate Leo from Oakworth on creating such an excellent design for my Christmas card this year?

I am sorry to say that hundreds of my constituents have raised their concerns about continued unacceptable delays in mail deliver. There has been partial or no delivery of mail, particularly in the Worth valley area, for months. It is resulting in missed doctors’ and hospital appointments, as well as in bills and urgent correspondence being missed. Can we have a debate in Government time on the importance of this issue, and ensure that Royal Mail is held to account?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Again, that subject has been raised before in business questions, and I hope that Royal Mail has heard that, because it is a story repeated in many parts of the country. What the hon. Gentleman describes is not acceptable, not least if there is to be timely delivery of Christmas cards, but as he rightly points out, the issue affects things like hospital appointment letters, too. I will raise this with the appropriate Minister and ensure that Royal Mail is held to account.